Re: Which to build?
Mike,
I have no experience with the car-topper, but I did build a similar
boat one time and I also helped build a shellback.
I expect that they are both good boats. But, the construction
methods are widely different. The shellback is glued lapstrake while
the car-topper is stich and glue.
In my opinion, the glued lapstrake requires more effort and more
woodworking skill. That's fine if you have some woodworking
experience and if you like doing that that type of work. But be
prepared, the shellback is no "instant boat." It takes a good deal of
effort to build.
Stitch and glue is probably quicker and it is clearly more forgiving
of mistakes or generally sloppy work. I don't have much skill and I
was able to build a decent looking and very functional boat with this
method. However, I found that I did not like working with so much
epoxy. It is very messy and, since it can cause a severe reaction in
some people, you should be careful to avoid excessive contact with
your skin
The bottom line is that either boat could be a good choice, but you
need to decide what type of construction you might enjoy more.
Good luck,
Rob
I have no experience with the car-topper, but I did build a similar
boat one time and I also helped build a shellback.
I expect that they are both good boats. But, the construction
methods are widely different. The shellback is glued lapstrake while
the car-topper is stich and glue.
In my opinion, the glued lapstrake requires more effort and more
woodworking skill. That's fine if you have some woodworking
experience and if you like doing that that type of work. But be
prepared, the shellback is no "instant boat." It takes a good deal of
effort to build.
Stitch and glue is probably quicker and it is clearly more forgiving
of mistakes or generally sloppy work. I don't have much skill and I
was able to build a decent looking and very functional boat with this
method. However, I found that I did not like working with so much
epoxy. It is very messy and, since it can cause a severe reaction in
some people, you should be careful to avoid excessive contact with
your skin
The bottom line is that either boat could be a good choice, but you
need to decide what type of construction you might enjoy more.
Good luck,
Rob
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Walsh" <micwal_va@h...> wrote:
> I am torn between building either Bolger's Cartopper or Joel
White's
> Shellback Dinghy.http://www.woodenboat.com/boathous.jpg
>
> I am trolling for a comparison of the 2. I have seen the Shellback
> up close, but not a car topper.
>
> Thanks
I am torn between building either Bolger's Cartopper or Joel White's
Shellback Dinghy.http://www.woodenboat.com/boathous.jpg
I am trolling for a comparison of the 2. I have seen the Shellback
up close, but not a car topper.
Thanks
Shellback Dinghy.http://www.woodenboat.com/boathous.jpg
I am trolling for a comparison of the 2. I have seen the Shellback
up close, but not a car topper.
Thanks